Week 20 Start 'Em and Sit 'Em

For the second week in a row, the team with the best schedule for Fantasy purposes is one Fantasy owners aren't particularly thrilled about. With five games on the way in Week 20 (March 10-16), Fantasy owners might find themselves in the unusual situation of desiring Bucks players.

As of March 6, only two Bucks players, Brandon Knight and Ersan Ilyasova, were started in more than half of CBSSports.com leagues. Knight is also the only player owned in more than 90 percent of our leagues, which makes sense considering the team's season-long incompetence. However, with five games on the schedule, there should be plenty of room in Fantasy owners' lineups for at least a few Bucks.

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Knight has been the team's best Fantasy option and is an easy must-start option for this week, but he isn't alone for once. Ilyasova is enjoying his usual second-half bump in production, averaging 14.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game in eight appearances since the All-Star break, and is worth starting in most Fantasy formats. Those two are pretty easy calls given their recent production, but some of the team's fringier players could prove useful as well.

Fantasy owners can probably find value in Khris Middleton and Ramon Sessions, especially in 12-team or deeper leagues. Middleton is averaging 18.4 Fantasy points per game since the All-Star break, while Sessions is putting up 19.9 of his own, putting both into the edge of relevance if they can sustain that over a five-game schedule.

Things get a bit dicier beyond that given the struggles of guys like O.J. Mayo and John Henson to produce consistently, but they might prove useful in certain circumstances. 13 teams play just three times this week, while the Lakers take the floor just twice, so your situation may dictate the use of a borderline Bucks option.

With only a handful of weeks left, this might be your last chance to use any of these Bucks players you might have on the end of your bench. After Week 20, the Bucks play more than three times just once in four weeks, so take advantage of this mostly miserable crew now.

(All stats up to date through March 6 games)

Atlanta Hawks

Paul Millsap took part in a 3-on-3 scrimmage with Pero Antic Wednesday, but he did not join Antic on the floor in that evening's game against the Blazers. Fortunately, it does indicate that a return is looming, a good sign for Fantasy owners who are badly missing his production. Millsap missed his fifth game in a row Wednesday, but is not dealing with any structural damage as far as we know, so he should hit the ground running upon his return. If he isn't cleared by the time lineups lock Monday, Millsap remains an obvious risk, but it might be one worth taking given his progress.

Boston Celtics

Kelly Olynyk put together arguably the best two-game stretch of his young career recently, though they did come as bookends to a two-game absence due to a toe injury. It is hard to say if this is the start a trend or just a blip on the radar, but Olynyk's offensive abilities were what made him a preseason Rookie of the Year candidate, so it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that he is capable of this kind of stretch. For Fantasy owners, the question will be whether he can continue producing enough o be worth your time. The Week 20 schedule offers a mixed bag of opponents, with the toughest matchup obviously coming to open the season against the Pacers. If Olynyk can acquit himself against the Pacers Tuesday, he will be worth starting; he still needs to prove himself before you start him, at this point.

Brooklyn Nets

Marcus Thornton has provided a solid scoring punch off the bench for the Nets since his acquisition, but not quite enough for Fantasy owners to take note. Part of the problem for him is the same as nearly everyone else on the team; the Nets' rotation is too deep to allow a small core of players to shine. But his own limitations as a player don't help matters either, as Thornton is averaging just 15.6 Fantasy points per game since joining the Nets, since he provides little in the way of secondary production. With just three games on the way, Thornton's empty scoring isn't particularly valuable for Fantasy purposes.

Charlotte Bobcats

Gerald Henderson missed all of Week 19 with a strained calf, and it is not yet known whether he is expected to be ready to play in time for Week 20. Of course, his recent play hardly makes him worth the risk for Fantasy purposes, but his absence could create an opening for another player to step into. As of now unfortunately, there isn't any one player Fantasy owners can count on to step up and be worth starting while Henderson is sidelined; Chris Douglas-Roberts stepped into the starting lineup in Henderson's place Wednesday and finished with 23 Fantasy points, but needs to prove he can sustain that before we buy in. The Bobcats have a tremendous slate of games coming up, but remain a two-man team for Fantasy purposes.

Chicago Bulls

The sight of Joakim Noah with a splint on his thumb after Wednesday's game probably caused his Fantasy owners at least a few hours of sleep. Fortunately, the injury does not appear to be one worth worrying about, which is great news for owners of arguably the league's top center right now. He continues to do everything for the Bulls, leading the team in rebounds and assists over the last two months while anchoring another elite defense. Even with just three games on the schedule, Noah is a must-start Fantasy option right now. He is joined by Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson, who has surpassed Carlos Boozer on the power forward hierarchy, even if he is still coming off the bench. A resurgent D.J. Augustin is less of a sure thing, but is averaging 23.4 Fantasy points over the last five and remains a borderline option in many leagues.

It will be interesting to see how Mike Brown handles Dion Waiters now that he is back from a knee injury that cost him seven games. His role was starting to shrink prior to the injury, as he finished the month of February averaging just 24.4 minutes per game in eight appearances, his lowest average for a full month in his career. In both of his seasons, Waiters has seen his minutes decrease consistently throughout the season, so that will be something to keep an eye on in the coming games. For Week 20, it is tough to consider Waiters a strong starting option given the Cavaliers tough schedule and questions about how he will be used. I would only feel comfortable starting Kyrie Irving and Spencer Hawes in Week 20.

Dallas Mavericks

The Mavericks have been a remarkably steady team all season long, with Dirk Nowitzki and Monta Ellis surrounded by a cast of role players whose roles change little from week to week. That makes them pretty easy to judge for Fantasy purposes, with the only fluctuations coming by way of random hot streaks. Vince Carter is riding one right now that has led to 27.0 Fantasy points per game over his last five; he averages 20.9 per game for the season. If the Mavericks had a better schedule I would feel OK with recommending Carter and Jose Calderon, but neither one can be considered a reliable option given a tough three-game slate of games.

Denver Nuggets

Last week I put a spotlight on the Nuggets, highlighting just how rudderless the roster was without the injured Ty Lawson. The situation is much improved over the last two games with Lawson around to run the point and give the team an offensive focal point. Though it is just a two-game sample size, we have seen Wilson Chandler, Randy Foye and Kenneth Faried all step up and play like starting-caliber Fantasy options. Though all three struggled with consistency all season long, this might not just be a coincidence; Lawson's development as an all-around player has turned him into exactly the kind of player who can lift everyone around him. The Nuggets don't have the best schedule on the way in Week 20, but all four players mentioned here have to be considered worthy starting options for a four-game week.

Detroit Pistons

Brandon Jennings has frustrated Fantasy owners all season, an they might be ready to pull the plug on him at this point. He is averaging just 24.2 Fantasy points per game over the last five, as his scoring has dipped to 8.0 points per game in that span. In fact, Jennings is averaging just 10.9 points per game while shooting 34.0 percent from the field since the All-Star break. He puts Fantasy owners in a tough dilemma because he is probably too productive to outright bench, but his struggles cannot be ignored. In Week 20, however, you might feel good about sticking him on the bench and forgetting him for a week.

Golden State Warriors

Andrew Bogut had emerged as a solid Fantasy option prior to the All-Star break, averaging 8.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game until a shoulder injury knocked him out of action for nearly three weeks. In six games back he has hardly been the same player, averaging just 4.8 points and 7.3 rebounds in 23.6 minutes per game. The Warriors are obviously trying to keep Bogut fresh for the playoffs, and given his struggles with injuries in recent years, this is probably the right way to go. Unfortunately for the owners who still have Bogut in 93 percent of CBSSports.com leagues, this probably means he won't be much use for you moving forward. Despite facing one of the best schedules in the league, Bogut probably isn't worth your time in Week 20.

Houston Rockets

Just when I was ready to write off Terrence Jones, he puts together one of his best stretches in over a month. It might just be fool's gold, however, as he is averaging 14.6 points per game over the last five without much of an uptick in playing time or usage. Instead, he is just shooting the lights out, connecting on 70.4 percent of his field-goal attempts in that span. Jones is too talented to give up on, but I'm not sure a few good games is enough to get him back into starting territory. Week 20 is not the time to get him back in your lineup, with one of the league's least forgiving schedules in his way.

Indiana Pacers

At this point, Roy Hibbert isn't even giving you the elite block numbers from early in the season to make up for his subpar production. Though he is still averaging 2.2 blocks per game in nine games since the All-Star break, he is no longer singlehandedly winning the category for you. He is averaging just 9.4 points and 5.6 points on 42.2 percent shooting since the All-Star break as well, so it is hard to justify starting him if he isn't leading the league in blocks. Even with how shallow the center position is, Hibbert is little more than a No. 2 option with three games on the schedule.

Los Angeles Clippers

Danny Granger is still owned in 65 percent of CBSSports.com leagues, and I cannot possibly give a good reason for this. He has been used solely in garbage time for the Clippers, and that trend is unlikely to change given how well Matt Barnes is playing right now. The Clippers have the luxury of working Granger in slowly, so Fantasy owners shouldn't even think about starting him. If you are looking for a wing from the Clippers to take advantage of their solid schedule in Week 20, look at Barnes, who is playing the best ball of his season so far. He is averaging 29.8 Fantasy points per game over his last five and should be a solid starting option for four games.

Los Angeles Lakers

As excited as I was about the Lakers for Fantasy purposes a week ago, I am just as worried about them for Week 20. With just two games on the schedule and rotation that goes seven deep with players averaging at least 20 minutes per game over the last five, you can't exactly rely on anyone as a starter in Week 20. Unless you have Pau Gasol on your roster, you are best serve by avoiding anyone on this roster right now.

Memphis Grizzlies

This is a good week of matchups, but they remain short on players truly willing to take advantage of them. The Grizzlies run a 10-deep rotation, with only their top three players really getting consistent minutes in the 30's every game. Though there are players here who could help you for Fantasy purposes, their roles on this roster make it nearly impossible to rely on them. Even with a four-game week full of strong matchups on the way, you want to avoid most of the Grizzlies' role players.

Michael Beasley has been thrust back into the rotation recently, and he posted an eye-popping 32-Fantasy-point game Tuesday against the Rockets that serves notice to the possibility that he will be relevant down the stretch. Of course, he has not even topped 20 in any game since early January, so don't run out to start him just yet. At this point, the Heat remain a three-man team, a fact that likely won't change until the season's final games, if at all.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Nikola Pekovic is working on a minutes limit as he returns from bursitis in his ankle, which should make defenses happy when they face the Timberwolves. However, being unable to play 30 minutes a night seems to have just made the big fella made, and he is taking it out on his opponents by averaging 17.7 pointa and 8.0 rebounds in 26 minutes in three games since his return from the injury. With Kevin Martin averaging 20.0 points per game since his return at the same time, the Timberwolves are back to usual, with their five-man starting lineup making up the majority of the team's Fantasy value. With four solid matchups on the way, start all five and leave the rest untouched for Week 20.

New Orleans Pelicans

Tyreke Evans has struggled to fit in with the Pelicans in his first season, but a move into the starting lineup has given him just the spark he needed. In four games since entering the starting five, Evans is averaging 21.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game, and looks to be an offensive focal point at this point. He has been extremely frustrating for Fantasy owners all season, but the team looks to have set the rotation down the stretch with the news that Jrue Holiday will not be returning. Though they play just three times, Evans and Anthony Davis should probably be active in all Fantasy formats in Week 20, with Eric Gordon right behind them in value.

New York Knicks

Amar'e Stoudemire is in the midst of something of a resurgence, averaging 14.5 points and 5.8 rebounds over his last four games, while starting two of them. He has played 30-plus minutes in consecutive games for the first time in almost exactly a year, which could be a sign that his troublesome knees are feeling well enough to handle something like a starring role. Of course, the last time he made it through consecutive 30-plus-minute games, he played just one more game before undergoing a season-ending procedure on his knee, so this could be an ominous sign. Though it could portend disaster, Stoudemire's recent increased role makes him an interesting Fantasy option for Week 20, with plenty of time to rest between games against subpar defensive teams.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Though I assumed the recently signed Caron Butler wouldn't be much of a difference maker for the Thunder, he was already playing in crunch time in Thursday's loss to the Suns. With Thabo Sefolosha essentially out for the remainder of the regular season, Butler seems likely to step into a solid role for the Thunder as a spot-up shooter with at least some defensive acumen. Nevermind that the younger, more talented Jeremy Lamb will be cast aside; Thunder coach Scott Brooks prizes the intangibles of veterans over the ephemeral upside of youth; just ask Derek Fisher. For Fantasy purposes, Butler should have some value in category-based formats thanks to his three-point shooting, and could have some good games against weak defenses in Week 20. Still, the Thunder's team makeup will lead to plenty of empty stat lines, so don't consider Butler more than a streaming option most of the time.

Orlando Magic

The names aren't all the same, but this Magic season is developing an awful lot like the last one. Specifically, the team is predictably focusing more on the young players with upside following the All-Star break and trade deadline; though this time they didn't even make any big moves. Maurice Harkless has spent much of the season as a big-time disappointment, but the team has been featuring him more. Since the break, Harkless is averaging 10.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, a marked improvement of his averages of 6.5 and 3.1, respectively. Harkless isn't a great Fantasy option for standard scoring formats, but he can fill up the box score well enough to be a worthwhile option in category-based formats for Week 20; especially with an increased role due to Victor Oladipo's ankle issues.

Philadelphia 76ers

Efficiency has been an issue for Michael Carter-Williams all season long, even if a hot first week or two covered up some of his warts. Asked to carry an even larger role since the team's trade-deadline salary dumps, Carter-Williams is wilting. He is still averaging 11.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game over the last five, but is bringing 4.4 turnovers and a 29.2 percent mark from the field to the table. Fantasy owners in category-based formats really have to condor whether he is hurting more than he helps at this point. With four games on the schedule in Week 20, he is probably still worth starting, but he could single-handedly lose field-goal percentage and turnovers for you.

Phoenix Suns

We know Eric Bledsoe is coming back during Week 20, with an expected return Wednesday against the Cavaliers. That is fantastic news for Fantasy owners who have been stashing Bledsoe for the stretch run, and potentially terrible news for anyone who has enjoyed Gerald Green's breakout season. Week 20 might just be bad news for owners of both players, since Bledsoe will likely be worked back in slowly at first, with an initial return from the bench not out of the question. Bledsoe owners will probably want to avoid relying on him in Week 20, while Gerald Green's strong run could begin to come to an end. He is averaging 18.2 points per game since Bledsoe last played, but was averaging 13.2 points per game prior to the injury. He should remain useful with four games on the schedule, but he also might be a sell-high candidate in any leagues where the trade deadline hasn't passed.

Portland Trail Blazers

As long as they are healthy, the Trail Blazers remain one of the easiest teams in the league to figure out. With four games on the schedule, feel confident starting any of your usual Blazers, even with some defensive teams on the way.

Sacramento Kings

Kings rookie Ray McCallum has been producing a bit more recently, averaging 9.0 points and 2.4 assists per game over the last five. He might be someone worth keeping an eye on, but the Kings' roster makeup makes him just a bit player. Even while averaging 27.1 minutes per game over the last five, he is averaging just 16.4 Fantasy points per game, making him little more than a fringe option in the majority of Fantasy formats..

San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have long been known for their depth, and that depth is paying dividends recently. Over the last five games, six different players are averaging at least 10 points per game, and only one of the six isn't averaging 20-plus Fantasy points per game in the span; the other is Danny Green, a categories league stud. This kind of sharing might not prove sustainable for the rest of the season, but if any team can keep this many players Fantasy relevant, it's this one. With four games and a great schedule on the way, the Spurs offer a plethora of solid Fantasy options for Week 20.

Toronto Raptors

Even though Kyle Lowry ended up missing no time due to an ankle injury, Grevis Vasquez has remained a solid source of production recently. Over the last five games, he is averaging 22.6 Fantasy points in just 23.9 minutes per game, and the numbers are even better for category-based formats, as he is averaging 4.0 assists and 2.2 3-pointers per game in that same span. With four games on the way, Vasquez looks like a solid option in all formats for Week 20.

Utah Jazz

The Jazz's rotation over the last five games is probably an optimal one for Fantasy purposes; if Ty Corbin keeps running out this lineup, Fantasy owners will have little reason to complain. All five of the team's recent lottery picks are averaging at least 27.3 minutes per game, and all five are at least 19 Fantasy points as well. Though you might like to see a bit more from someone like Derrick Favors, the fact that veterans with little future of Fantasy appeal aren't taking shots from any of the young guys leaves little room to complain. For Week 20, feel good about relying on any of the team's young core with four solid matchups on the way.

Washington Wizards

The loss of Nene has had some unexpected impacts on the Wizards' rotation, but one change was easy to predict. As the lone productive big man left, Gortat is stepping up while playing a major role. He is averaging 17.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game over the last five, while seeing his playing time jump to 36.6 minutes per game. The Wizards play four times in Week 20, and only one of their opposing frontcourts looks likely to provide a significant challenge to him defensively. From this point on, Gortat pretty much has to be considered a must-start Fantasy option moving forward.

Irving has been dealing with a shoulder strain, which has forced him to miss the last two games. Meanwhile, an illness prevented forward Kevin Love from attending Tuesday's shootaround and he'll be a game-time decision for Tuesday's contest.

(5:31 pm ET)New Kings coach George Karl is hoping to see more production from big man Derrick Williams, according to the Sacramento Bee . The former No. 2 overall pick is averaging 6.9 points and 2.6 rebounds in 49 games this year.

"Derrick is one of our more skilled players, and we’re trying to figure out how he fits with the team," Karl said. "I thought that he and Andre Miller had chemistry together (Sunday). As a coaching staff, we feel that we should try and get more out of him, and more consistent value."

Williams was able to score 18 points in 23 minutes Sunday for the Kings.

"I know (Karl) wants to play fast, depending on the matchups and things like that," Williams said. "Most of the time when I’m playing (power forward), I'm quicker than guys at (that position). Just trying to get into transition, try to get easy baskets, things like that."

(12:26 pm ET)Spurs point guard Tony Parker said during his French radio show that he will play for Team France at Eurobasket 2015, ProjectSpurs.com reports.

"I am not thinking about that for now since I’m focused on the Spurs, and making a good season to finish in style. Then I will focus on the Blues. But I have said… I will be with Team France this summer," Parker said Monday.

Parker took last summer off to rest and prepare for the 2014-15 NBA season. He will be attempting to help the team qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Eurobasket this summer.

(11:40 am ET)An illness prevented Cavaliers forward Kevin Love from participating in Tuesday's shootaround, but he is listed as probable for Tuesday's game against the Celtics, reports the Akron Beacon Journal.

Love was told to stay home to help recover from the illness. In 58 games, Love is averaging 17.0 points and 10.2 rebounds.